114th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 114–116 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 97TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION COMMUNICATION FROM THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIVISION, THE AMERICAN LEGION TRANSMITTING A FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE 97TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, HELD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND FROM SEPTEMBER 1–3, 2015, AND A RE- PORT ON THE ORGANIZATION’S ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR PRE- CEDING THE CONVENTION, PURSUANT TO 36 U.S.C. 10101(b)(1); PUBLIC LAW 105–225, 10101(b)(1); (112 STAT. 1283) MARCH 15, 2016.—Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 99–451 WASHINGTON : 2016 02:09 Mar 24 2016 Jkt 099451 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4012 Sfmt 4012 E:\HR\OC\HD116P1 XXX HD116P1 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL THE AMERICAN LEGION, Washington, DC, March 10, 2016. Hon. PAUL RYAN, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In compliance with current public law we herewith transmit for printing as a House document a financial statement and independent audit of The American Legion, pro- ceedings of our 97th annual National Convention held in Balti- more, Maryland from September 1, 2, and 3, 2015 and a report on our organization’s activities for the year preceding the convention. For God and Country, IAN DE PLANQUE, Director, National Legislative Division. (II) Table of Contents Foreword.......................................................................................................................... vii National Convention and Officers of The American Legion 1919-2015.......................... ix Proceedings of the 97th Annual National Convention Tuesday, September 1, 2015 Call to Order: National Commander Helm ........................................................................ 1 Invocation.......................................................................................................................... 1 Pledge of Allegiance.......................................................................................................... 1 POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony .................................................................................. 2 Preamble to The American Legion Constitution ............................................................... 2 Opening Ceremony: Noah Galloway, Master of Ceremonies............................................ 2 The American Legion Youth Champions: 2014 American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team Captain..................................... 4 2015 Boys Nation President .......................................................................................... 5 2015 Eagle Scout of the Year ........................................................................................ 6 2015 Junior Shooting Sports Precision Champion ........................................................ 6 2015 Junior Shooting Sports Sporter Champion............................................................ 7 2015 National Oratorical Contest First Place Winner.................................................... 8 Presentation: Spirit of Service Awards .............................................................................. 9 Address: Ryan M. Pitts, Medal of Honor Recipient ........................................................ 13 Greetings: Janet Jefford, National President, American Legion Auxiliary ................................... 15 Michael W. Moss, Past National Commander, Sons of The American Legion ........... 16 Call for Convention ......................................................................................................... 16 Address: Hon. Ashton Carter, Secretary U.S. Department of Defense ............................ 18 Greetings: Clarence M. Bacon, President, Maryland National Convention Corporation.............................................................................................................. 22 Presentation: Hon. Charles T. Hagel, The American Legion Distinguished Service Medal....................................................................................................................... 23 Welcome: Hon. Boyd K. Rutherford, Lieutenant Governor, State of Maryland........................... 27 Hon. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor, City of Baltimore........................................ 28 Cheryl A. Paschall, Assist. to Senator Barbara A. Mikulski........................................ 28 Hon. Elijah Cummings, U. S. House of Representatives............................................. 29 MG Linda L. Singh, Adjutant General, Maryland Military Department ..................... 31 Carolynn G. Baker, 2014-2015 Department Commander of Maryland....................... 31 Presentation: The American Legion Riders..................................................................... 32 Greetings: Tom Eagles, Dominion President, The Royal Canadian Legion ................................. 34 Dr. Lynda Davis, Student Veterans of America .......................................................... 36 Brian Phoenix, Dominion President, ANAVETS........................................................ 37 General Cho Nam Poong, ROK Army (Ret), Chairman, Korean Veterans Association .......................................................................................................... 38 Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Tsai-Mai 'Mike' Tien, Senior Advisor, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office ............................................................................ 39 Judge Thomas E. Lawrence, President General, National Society Sons of the American Revolution........................................................................................... 40 Michael W. Moses, Sr., President, NALPA ................................................................ 41 National Commander's Report to Convention ................................................................. 42 Presentation: Carl S. Mills, Fifth Third Bank .................................................................. 45 iii Reports: Convention Committee on Credentials & Rules.......................................................... 46 Convention Committee on Constitutional Amendments ............................................. 47 Convention Committee on Internal Affairs ................................................................. 50 Address: Hon. Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs........... 54 Report: Convention Committee on Finance..................................................................... 58 Wednesday, September 2, 2015 Call to Order.................................................................................................................... 61 Invocation........................................................................................................................ 61 Pledge of Allegiance........................................................................................................ 61 Presentations: Certificate of Appreciation to National Chaplain Tierian 'Randy' Cash ...................... 61 Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion................................... 62 Address: Jamie Warder, President, USAA Bank............................................................. 64 Presentations:................................................................................................................... 66 Plaque to the City of Charlotte .................................................................................... 66 2015 National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.................................................. 67 2015 Firefighter of the Year ........................................................................................ 68 Address: Hon. Chris Van Hollen, Jr., U.S. House Committee......................................... 69 Presentations: Department Membership Awards................................................................................ 72 National Recruiter of the Year..................................................................................... 74 Consolidated Post Reporting 2014-2015 ..................................................................... 75 National Emergency Fund Awards.............................................................................. 75 Address: Kelly Schackelford, President and CEO Liberty Institute ................................ 78 Presentations: The American Legion Patriot Award to The Oak Ridge Boys .................................... 79 Kevin McDugle, Soldier’s Wish.................................................................................. 80 Report: Convention Committee on Veterans Employment & Education......................... 81 Presentations: Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans ..................................................... 87 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist of the Year Award........................... 89 Report: Convention Committee on Legislation ............................................................... 89 Address: Scott Stump, President of the Board, National Memorial for Desert Storm Veterans . 91 Hon. Michael Coffman, U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs ......................... 93 Presentation: Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy ................................................. 96 Report: Convention Committee on Americanism...........................................................